BART workers on strike, Crunican issues statement

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) General Manager Grace Crunican issued a statement after no deal was reached in labor negotiations between BART and its two largest unions October 17.

Crunican said, "I am very disappointed that even after six months of day after day, night after night, intense negotiations we are still unable to reach a deal. It hasn't been all for nothing, we were able to make progress but a large gap remains.

"Today I gave an updated final offer to the unions on behalf of the board. It reflects the limited progress we've made over the past four days of work and it addresses the essential work rule efficiencies BART desperately needs to modernize our operations."

The package Crunican offered is a 3 percent raise per year for a total of a 12 percent, with a chance to earn up to $1,000 a year if ridership grows. It calls for contributions of 4 percent for pension and 9.5 percent for medical. BART has given unions until October 27 to consider the offer and take it to a vote of the members.

"I appreciate the riders' and the Bay Area's support in standing by us during these difficult negotiations," she stated. "We are not going to agree to something we can't afford. We have to protect the aging system for our workers and the public. Thank you to the mediators that were involved, BART staff and Caltrans for their hospitality.

"We gave it our all and it didn't come together and that is disappointing to everyone involved. We have a lot to do to build the future: a new fleet of rail cars, modern stations, better access and a stronger partnership with our unions. I believe we can get there, but we have to get there together."